Toy



June 14, 1932. E. ANKETELL TOY I Filed May 27, 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet J SZ 5! 5p 32 Sheet 2 June M, 1932. E. N. ANKETELL TOY Filed May 27, 1927 5 Sheetsm M w attozwmq 3 June M, 1932-; E. N. ANKETELL. v

TOY

Filed May 27, 19.2? 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 nJ Mk 55.15

Patented June 14, 19 32 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE EDWARD N. .ANKETELL, OF NEW HAVEN,

CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE AS- SIGNMENTS, TO THE A. C. GILBERT COMPANY, OF NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT, A

CORPORATION OF MARYLAND TOY Application filed May '27,

This invention relates to mechanical toys, and more especially to a toy simulating a hoisting unit adapted to raise, lower and operate other toy devices, such as toy grab buckets, digger scoops, tip buckets, and other toy devices, which it is desirable to raise and lower or otherwise move. The novel toy hoisting unit of this invention is also useful for use in combination with other toy elements in the construction of toy revolving, swinging, traveling and universal cranes, dredges, derricks and other toy models requiring a hoisting mechanism.

This invention contemplates an improvement over the hoisting mechanism shown and described in my copending application No. 164,238, filed January 28, 1927, and in certain aspects thereof this application is a continuation in part of the aforesaid copending one.

The principal object of this invention is to provide an operable toy hoisting unit in which the parts thereof may be readily assembled together and as readily disassembled so thatcertain parts thereof may be used in theconstruction of other models or toys.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved toy hoisting unit of generally improved structure.

Another object of this invention is to provide a power driven hoisting mechanism, by the manipulation of which an object may be raised and lowered.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a power driven toy hoisting mechanism, operable at the will of the user,

to raise or lower another toy device, such as a grab bucket, while the same is either open or closed, and to open or close the bucket or the like while it is either raised or lowered, or at an intermediate position.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel form of foot block for use in combination with a hoisting mechanism and a supporting frame-work, to form an operable toy.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a hoisting unit, which isadapted to be assembled to other toy elements in the construction of various models, toys, etc.

A further object of this invention is to 1927. Serial No. 184,813.

provide a power driven hoisting unit in which a plurality of rotatable drums are provided, certain of which are power driven and which are under the control of the user in respect to the direction of rotation thereof, the starting and stopping thereof, and which are interconnectable for joint rotation, or disconnectable for individual rotation.

To these and other ends, the invention consists inthe novel features and combinations of parts to be hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of a toy in which a hoisting mechanism, embodying the features of my invention is assembled;

2 isa plan view of the toy shown in 1g.

Fig. 3 is a section on line 3-3 of Fig. 2, through the toy hoisting unit embodying the features of my invention;

Fig. 4 is a left-hand end view of the hoisting unit shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a section on line 5-5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a detailed View of a part of the toy of this invention;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a toy hoisting unit, embodying the features of my invention, showing a somewhat different arrangement of parts;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view of a clam shell or grab bucket, capable of being operated 1n combination with the hoisting unit of this invention;

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7 showing the bucket in open position;

Fig. 9 is a partial assembly view of a toy, having in its structure toy elements embodying the features of my invention;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a. toy element or foot block, adapted for use in the construction of various toys.

The toy selected to illustrate the features of my invention and the use thereof, simulates a device generally known as an ex cavator of the clam shell or grab bucket type.

Included in this toy is a power driven hoisting unit, embodying the features of my invention, which is operatively connected to a clam shell or grab bucket to raise, lower andotherwisc operate the same.

The hoisting unit generally comprises a pair of side plates 10 and 11, each of which is provided with a flange 12 extending along the base edge thereof. Flanges 12 are provided with a series of perforations 13, which are equally spaced apart longitudinally of the flange and elongated transversely thereof, the amount of spacing beingsubstantial- 1y equal to spaces between perforations in other elements of the toy. In this instance, the side plates are secured together by being mounted upon a flanged base plate in which a plurality of equally spaced perforations 14 are provided, both in the body portion 15 and in the flange portion 16 thereof. A series of spaced apart perforations 17 disposed par allel to and directed longitudinally'with respect to the flange 12 is provided in each of the side plates 10 and 11. Other perforations 18 are provided in each of the side plates 10' and 11, and disposed therein relatively to each other in proper spaced apart relation to support a number of shafts or other elements upon which the operating parts of the hoisting unit, such as gears, drums and control levers are mounted.

At one end .of the side plates 10 and 11 a drum 20 is mounted. The drum 20 is secured to a shaft 21, in this instance, by means of a set screw passing through a hub member 22 "secured to the drum. The shaft 21 is journaled in each side plate in one of the perforations 18 thereof. The shaft 21, in this instance, is bent at one end to form a crank member 23 by which the shaft may be manually rotated. A pinion 24 isv also secured to the shaft 21 by means of a set screw assing througha hub member 22 thereo A pawl 25, pivotally secured to one of the sideplates, is provided with atransversely extended portion 25 which extends over the upper edge of side plates 10 and cooperates with the pinion 24 by engagement with the teeth thereof, in such a manner that the pinion 24 operates as a ratchet wheel and rotation of the drum 20 in one direction is-prevented. By disengageing the pawl portion 25*- from the teeth of the pinion 24, rotation of the drum 20 in the other direction is permitted.

A drum 26, secured to a shaft 27 by means of a set screw passing through a hub member 22, secured to the drum, is disposed to one side and above drum 20, the shaft 27 being journaled in corresponding openings 18 in each of the side plates 10 and 11. A gear 29 is also secured to shaft 27 by means of a set screw passing through a hubmember 22. A sheave 30 is secured to shaft 27, and a resilient brake member 31, composed in this instance of spring wire, one end of which is disposed within the groove of the sheave 30 and the other end being secured to the base plate 15,

acts as a friction device to retard and resist movement of the drum 26.

A drum 32 is secured upon a shaft 33 by means of a set screw passing through a hub member 22. The shaft 33 is j ournaled in corresponding openings 18 in the side plates 10 and 11, these .openings being disposed in the side plates in such a position that the drum 32 will be disposed to one side and above the drum 26. A gear 34, in this instance, having substantially twice the face width of gear 29, is secured to shaft 33 by means of a set screw passingthrough the hub member 22 secured thereto.

A pinion 35, secured by means of a set screw passing through a hub member 22 to a shaft 36, is disposed intermediate the gears 29 and 34, and in position to mesh with both of them. The shaft 36 is journaled in corresponding openings 18 in the side plates 10 and 11, and is slidable transversely thereof.

A collar 37, secured to shaft 36, limits the transverse sliding movement thereof in one direction, the hub member 22 of the pinion 35 being disposed to limit the transverse movement in the other direction. The transverse movement of shaft 36 in one direction, per mits the pinion 35 to mesh with both of gears 29 and 34, and the movement of this shaft in the other direction disengages the pinion 35 with gear 29, but retains it in mesh with gear 3 The shaft 36 extends outwardly beyond one of the plates, in this instance plate 11, and through an opening provided in and disposed intermediate the ends of a shift lever 38. The shift lever 38 is secured atone of its ends to the plate 11 by means of a screw 39. Collars 40 and 41 secured by means of set screws to the shaft 36 are arranged one on either side of the lever 38 to secure it to shaft 36. Movement of the lever 38 outwardly will shift the pinion 35 into mesh with both gears 29 and 34, and a reverse movement of this lever will shift the pinion 35 out of mesh with gear 29, although as above described, the pinion 3 5 will remain in mesh with gear 34 for rotation thereby, whereby the meshing of gear 29 and pinion 35 is facilitated, as one is generally rotating when such an operation is desired.

When it is desired to drive the drums 26 and 32 by power means, a shaft 44 is provided and is journaled in the side plates 10 and 11, in corresponding openings 18. A pinion 45 is secured to shaft 44, being disposedthereon to mesh with gear 34. A gear 46 isalso secured upon shaft 44, and is in mesh with a pinare provided with perforated foot pieces 53, which are adapted to be secured upon toy elements comprising perforated strips 54. The strips 54 are mounted upon the base plate 15, by means of bolts 55. The bolts 55 are arranged to permit vertical ad ustment of the motor 52, and by it the armature shaft 51, so that the worm 50 will properly mesh wlth gear 49.

Electric terminal wires 58 and 59, connected to a suitable source of power lead to a suitable motor reversing switch 60, mounted upon a motor frame. The reversing switch 60 is suitably connected electrically to the motor terminals, so that movement of the switch lever 61 in one direction will connect the proper contacts to cause the motor armature shaft 51 to rotate in one direction, and a reverse movement of the lever 61 will cause the shaft 51 drive by means of the lever 38, and both being" to rotate in the other directio The power driven hoisting unit above described, is provided with a manually operable ratchet controlled drum 20, and a pair of power driven drums 26 and 32, one of the latter being disconnectable from the power reversible in respect to the direction of rotation thereof, by means of the switch lever 61.

Various uses are possible for a unit of this construction, one of wh1ch 1s illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, which show the unit operably connected to a clam shell or grab bucket 70, which is suitably suspended from a swingable boom 71. The boom 71 is pivotally secured to the base plate 15 at 69.

The clam shell or grab bucket 7 0 comprises a pair of jaws 72 and 73 pivotally mounted upon a shaft 74. A bail 75 is secured to jaw 7 2, and a bail 76 ispivotally secured to jaw 73. The bail 75 extendsupwardly from the jaw 72-and is secured" to a sheave support 77. The bail 76 extends upwardly and is pivotally secured to the support 77. A sheave 78 is rotatably mounted upon the support 77. A pair of sheaves 79 and 80 are rotatably mounted, and a weight 81 is pivotally mounted, upon the shaft 74. A rope 82 is fastened tothe support 77 and extends downwardly and about sheave 80, upwardly over sheave 78, then downwardly about sheave 79, and again upwardly through an opening in the support 77 and over a sheave 83, rotatably mounted upon the free end of the. boom 71. Another rope 84 is secured to the sheave support 77 and extends upwardly therefrom v and over a sheave 85, also rotatably mounted upon the free end of the boom 71. The rope 82 is extended from the sheave 83 toward the drum 32 to which it is secured, and upon which it may be wound or unwound, as desired. The rope 84. is likewise extended toward drum 26 and may be wound thereon or unwound therefrom, as desired. A rope 86 is secured adjacent the free end of the boom 71 and extends therefrom toward drum 20,

and 88. The ropes 82,

' sion' 107. The foot block whereon it ma be wound or from which unwound, as desired to raise or lower the free end of the boom 71.

A pair of vertically disposed uprights or masts 87 and 88 are provided, which are secured atone end to the base plate 15, one at either side thereof and adjacent one end of the side plates 10 and -11. Three sheaves 89, 90 and 91 are rotatably mounted upon a shaft 92, which extends between and is journaled 1n the upper ends .of the uprights 87 84 and 86 are passed over the sheaves 89, 91

which the are attached. trips 93, secured atone end to the side plates 10 and 11, and at the other end to the respective mast 87 or 88, act as braces for the same.

and 90 respectively, before they reach the respective drums to In instances where it is desirable to use the hoisting unit in a toy without driving it by power, the parts may be arranged as shownin Fig. 6. In such an instance, the shaft 36 is replaced by a shaft 94, upon one end of which is a crank handle 95 whereby the shaft 94 is rotatable by hand. The shaft 94, like shaft 36, is slidable transversely to engage or disengage the gear pinion 35 with the gear 29. This arrangement of the parts of the unit permits the manual operation thereof. The side plates 10 and 11, in this Instance, are secured together by a plate member 96, flanges 97 of which are bolted to the'side plates by bolts 98 which 'pass'through corresponding perforations in the flange 97 and the plates 10 and 11. By the operation of the crank shaft 94, the drums 26 and 32 may be rotated individually or together, drum 32 in this instance, always being rotatable with the shaft 94. In place of the plate 96, tie rods 99, with which nuts 99 cooperate, may be provided and used to retain the side plates 10 and 11 in assembled position, as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4.

In Fig. 9 another. arrangement .of parts as sociated with a swinging boom 100 is shown. In this arrangement, the pivotally secured end 101 of the boomis supported between flanges 102 and 103 of a foot block or mast step 104. The base of a mast 105 is also secured tothe foot block 104, and is braced by members 106 secured to a base plate exten- 104 may also be used as a pulley block by being secured to the mast adjacent the upper end thereof, in which position it will support the sheaves over which the boom rope 108 and the bucket ropes 109 are assed.

T e foot block 104 comprisesa building element, substantially U-shaped in cross section, having side flanges or legs 102, and 103 substantially parallel to each other, and extending along either side of a base or body portion 110. Each side flange 102 or 103 is provided with a series of openings, 'consisting in this instance, of perforations 111 between which are perforations 112, which are elongated longitudinally with respect to the length of the element. The base portion 110 is provided with similarly arranged perforations. The perforations in both the side flanges and the base portions are preferably spaced apart an amount equal to the spacing between perforations and other elements of the toy, so as to permit the connection therewith. The perforations 111 and 112, in each of the side flanges, are in alignment lengthwise of the element and correspondingly shaped ones are opposite to each other and in alignment transversely with correspondingly shaped ones in the base portion In the toy illustrated in Fig. 1, the boom 71 may be raised or lowered by means of the crank arm 23, which may be manually operated to rotate the drum 20 to wind up the rope 86. By releasing the pawl from engagement with the teeth of the pinion 24, the rope 86 may be unwound from the drum 20 to lower the boom 71. Winding up the rope 82 upon the drum 32 will close the aws 72 and 73 of the bucket 70, and unwinding the same will permit these jaws to open, the weight 81 assisting in such movement. Vinding the rope 84: upon the drums 26 will raise or lower the bucket 70. Vhen it is de sired to raise and lower the bucket 70, without affecting the jaws 72 and 7 3 thereof, the motor 52 is started and by control of the switch lever 61 given rotation in the proper direction to wind or unwind rope 84. In order to rotate drum 26 to cause such an operation, it is necessary that pinion be in mesh with gear 29. Being alwaysin mesh with gear 34, the pinion 35 rotates whenever the shaft 51 of motor 52 is being rotated. During the raising or lowering of the bucket 70, the jaws 72 and 73 thereof may be opened if closed, or closed if open, by shifting the pinion 35 out of mesh with gear 29 by means of the shift lever 38, whereby the rotation of the drum 26 will be interrupted and the drum 32 rotated to open or close the jaws 7 2 and 73. In instances where this operation is desired, the switch lever 61 is operated to cause the rotation of drum 32 in the proper direction to open or close the jaws 7 2 and 73 of the bucket 70. When the gear 29 is disengaged from the pinion 35, and the movement of drum 26 is interrupted, the friction brake comprising the resilient member 31 and the sheave 30, retains the drum 26 against the action of gravity upon the parts constituting the bucket tending to rotate the same.

In the arrangement shown in Fig. 6, which illustrates a manually operable hoisting unit, crank 95 may be manipulated to rotate both drums 26 and 32 together or drum 32 alone, shaft 94: being transversely slidable to permit the engagement of pinion 35 with gear 29 when desired. Shaft 94 and pinion 35, in this instance, therefore, comprise the driving means as well as the control means for drums 26 and 32.

By the provision of the variously disposed perforations in the side plates 10 and 11, these parts may be used in toy construction for purposes other than as frame members for a hoisting unit. By the provision of removable shafts and gears, pinions, collars and drums, which are removably mounted thereon, different arrangements of these parts may be made as desired by the user. Being separable, allof these parts may be used in other models and for other purposes than those described above.

Not only-are the parts of the hoisting unit separable, but in constructing toys of this character the parts, such as base plates 15, foot pieces 53 of the electric motor, perforated strips 54, boom 71, uprights or masts 87, strips 93 and foot blocks 104, are all provided with spaced apart perforations whereby they may be detachably secured together in a variety of positionsto form various toy models. For this purpose, the. spacing between the perforations in these parts is equal to or a multiple of the spacing in other elements of this type of toy. Consequently, a hoisting unit, motor or'other parts constituting a complete toy, as described above, may be individually removed from the particular position shown and reassembled in the toy in other positions by using corresponding perforations other than those used in the present instance, through which to pass suitable securing means.

While I have .shown and describeda preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that the same is not limited thereto in all of its details, as many modifications and variations may be made thereto which will lie within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

lVhat I claim is:

1. In a toy, a hoisting mechanism comprising a plurality of separable elements including, a pair of drums, one of said drums being drivingly connected to a source of power for rotation in either direction, a shaft rotatable with said drum, the other of said pair of drums being freely rotatable in either direction and with respect to said shaft, and means rotatable with said shaft and engageable and disengageable with said last mentioned drum to rotate the same.

2. A toy of the type described having a hoisting unit, comprising a pair of detachably connected side plates, a pair of drums, each drum being rotatably mounted between said side plates, a gear rotatable with each drum, and a pinion continuously in mesh with one of said gears and adapted to be drivingly engaged and disengaged with the other gear.

'3. A toy of the type described having a hoisting unit, comprisinga pair of detachably connected side plates, a pair of drums,

ing with those in the other plate,

each drum being rotatably mounted between said side plates, a driven gear rotatably connected to one drum, a gear rotatably connected to the other drum, and means continuously driven by the driven gear to engage and disengage the other gear whereby the drum connected therewith may be rotated.

4. In a toy, a hoisting unit comprising a plurality of separable elements including a pair of side plates, each having a series of equally spaced a art perforations adjacent its lower edge, an a plurality of perforations disposed about the remaining portion thereof, the perforations in one plate corresponding with those in the other plate, means extending between said side plates to detachably connect the same together, a plurality of shafts extending between said side plates and removably journaled in corresponding perforations therein, a rope receiving drum detachably secured to each shaft, drivable means detachably secured to each shaft, said means being drivingly interconnected, and a driving mechanism detachably secured to the side plate connecting means, and drivingly connected to a part of the interconnected driving means to drive the same.

5. In a toy, a hoisting unit comprising a plurality of separable elements including a pair of side plates, each having a series of equally spaced apart perforations adjacent its lower edge, and a plurality ofperforations disposed about the remaining portion thereof, the perforations in one plate correspondmeans extending between said side plates to detachably connect the same together, a plurality of shafts extending between said side plates and removably journaled in corresponding perforations therein, a rope receiving drum detachably secured to each shaft, drivable means detachably secured to each shaft, said means being drivingly interconnected, and a motor mechanism detachably secured to the side plate connecting means and adjustable vertically thereon, said motor mechanism being drivingly connected to a part of the interconnected driving means to drive the same.

6. In a toy holsting mechanism, a pair of side plates, a plurality of rope receiving drums disposed between and journaled in said side plates, a gear on each drum, speed reduction gearing drivingly connected to one of said drum gears, an electric motor drivingly connected to said reduction gearing, and rotatable means continuously driven by the drum gear connected to said reduction gearing, and adapted to drivingly engage and be disengaged from the gear on the other of said drums.

7 In a toy of the type described, readily detachable parts including a base plate and side frames, a motor support mounted above said base plate for vertical adjustment relatively thereto, a plurality of hoisting drums mounted upon shafts journaled in and disposed between said side frames, a motor on said supports having the axis of its shaft disposed at right angles to the axes of the shafts of said drums, gearing drivingly connecting said motor to said drums including a worm on said motor shaft, a worm wheel, a gear on the shaft of each drum and an axially slidable gear,said last named gear being disposed between said drum gears and being continuously rotated by one of said gears when said motor is operated and being slidable into and out of driving engagement with the other of said gears to drive the same.

8. Ina toy of the type described readily detachable parts including a base plate and side frames, a motor support mounted above said base plate for vertical adjustment relatively thereto, a plurality of hoisting drums mounted upon shafts journaled in and disposed between said side frames, a motor on said supports having the axis of its shaft disposed at right angles to the axes of the shafts of said drums, gearing drivingly connecting said motor to said drums including a worm on said motor shaft, a worm wheel, a gear on the shaft of each drum and an axially slidable gear, said last named gear being disposed between said drum gears and being continuously rotated by one of said gears when said motor is operated, and being slidable into and out of driving engagement with the other of said gears to drive the same, and a brake continuously acting driven by the gear that is engageable and disengageable with said slidable gear.

9.- In a toy of the type described, readily detachable parts including a base plate and to stop the drum side frames, a motor support mounted above said base plate for vertical adjustment relatively thereto, a plurality of hoisting drums mounted upon shafts journaled in and disposed between said side frames,'a motor on said supports having theaxis of its shaft disposed at right angles to the axes of the shafts of said drums, gearing drivingly connecting said motor to said drums inlcuding a worm on said motor shaft, a worm wheel, agear on the shaft of each drum, and an axially slidable gear, said last named gear being disposed between said drum gears and being continuously rotated by one of said gears when said motor is operated and being slidable into and out of driving engagement with the other of said gears to drive the same, the width of the gear continuously rotating and said slidable twice the width of the gear engageable by said slidable gear, means to slide said slidable gear out of mesh with said engageable gear, and means to limit the movement of said slidable gear to prevent disengagement thereof from the wider gear.

10, A toy of the type described including a hoisting unit, said hoisting unit comprising gear being substantially a pair of side plates, a pair of drums, each drum being rotatably mounted between said side plates, a driven gear rotatably connected to one drum, a gear rotatably connected to the other drum, said driven gear being substantially twice as wide as the other gear, a pinion disposed between said gears and continuously in mesh with said driven gear, and means to axiall slide said pinion to mesh and unmesh 1 it wit the other gear without unineshing it from said driven gear.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 26th day of May, 1927.

' EDWARD N. ANKETELL. 

